Simulation of a Continuous Bulk Styrene Polymerization Process with Catalytic Initiation for Crystal-Clear Polystyrene and Rubber-Modified Polystyrene

Abstract

ABSTRACTA mathematical model has been developed to predict the steady state performance of a continuous bulk styrene polymerization process with catalytic initiation for crystal-clear polystyrene and impact-modified polystyrene. The present process contains one pre-polymerizer and four post-polymerizers. Both acyclic and cyclic peroxyketal free radical initiators were considered. The polymer moment equations were solved simultaneously with the reactor modeling equations. The non-linear algebraic equations were solved by a Newton-Raphson iteration technique to give the steady-state value of styrene monomer weight fraction in the reactor. The coupled, non-linear ordinary differential equations were integrated by means of a single-step, fourth-order Runge-Kutta technique, followed by a multi-step Adams-Moulton technique. The resulting computer simulation model is capable of analyzing what effect feed composition, reaction temperature, initiator type, and initiator concentration have on styrene monomer conver...